Conservation&Land Management(CLM)Intern–USFSNativeSeedCollection

Title: Conservation and Land Management (CLM) Intern – USFS Native Seed Collection

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Plant Science and Conservation

Reports to: Manager, Conservation Training Programs    

Seasonal Full-time

Salary: $19.00/hour

Position Overview: These CLM Internship Positions are available through a cooperative agreement with the US Forest Service (USFS), primarily scouting and making collections of native seed on Forest Service land. These collections will be utilized for important Native Plant Materials Development projects, such as seed increase programs and restoration of disturbed areas. When not scouting or collecting seed, there may be opportunities to assist USFS staff on additional tasks, such as rare plant monitoring, wildlife surveys, outreach events, and more.

Positions are for 4 to 5 months (19 to 23 weeks) with a start date of mid-May to early June. Positions will end in mid-October to mid-November. Interns will be stationed at the following National Forests or National Grasslands: 

• Bitterroot National Forest in Hamilton, MT 
• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Dillon, MT 
• Flathead National Forest in Kalispell, MT 
• Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest in Neihart, MT 
• Dakota Prairie Grasslands in Lemmon, SD 
• Bighorn National Forest in Sheridan, WY 
• Lincoln National Forest in Ruidoso, NM 
• Tonto National Forest in Phoenix, AZ 
• Coronado National Forest in Tucson, AZ 
• Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Ogden, UT 
• San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino, CA 
• Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit National Forest in South Lake Tahoe, CA
• Lassen National Forest in TBD, CA
• El Dorado National Forest in Pollock Pines, CA
• Sierra National Forest in North Fork or Prather, CA 
• Plumas National Forest in Oroville, CA
• Malheur National Forest in John Day, OR
• Willamette National Forest in Detroit, OR (3)
• Umpqua National Forest in Toketee Falls, OR 
• Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, IL (6)
• Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan, AK 
• Chugach National Forest in Moose Pass, AK 

Interns will have access to the USFS office, field vehicles, and will receive training and mentorship from USFS staff. Teams will spend most of their time in the field, and camping hitches may be required to make the best use of travel time. 

The CLM program will host a Training Workshop at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois the week of June 3, training interns on seed collection best practices and providing other professional development opportunities. Travel expenses will be reimbursed for this training. At some locations, Forest Service housing (bunkhouses or apartments) may be provided or available for rent at a reasonable rate. To learn more about the CLM program go to: clminternship.org.

Responsibilities:

• Identify potential seed collection locations of priority species through scouting, analysis of herbarium records, previous seed collections, and vegetation mapping
• Collect herbarium vouchers for each potential collection site, take appropriate photos as instructed for seed certification
• Navigate on backcountry and often rough roads using a 4x4 vehicle
• Monitor phenology of target plant populations to plan and execute collections
• Utilize tablets with GIS software and/or paper data sheets to ensure required population scouting data, seed collection data, and photos are properly recorded
• QA/QC data and share with Chicago Botanic Garden and USFS
• As part of a team, make seed collections
• Communicate to all parties clearly, effectively, and often
• Timely, accurate reporting of time and effort, adherence to all Chicago Botanic Garden policies and procedures for employees, and communication with the Chicago Botanic Garden manager
• Timely completion of reporting deliverables, including data entry and a mid-season and final report
• Contribute monthly blog posts to the CLM blog site

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Degree in Botany, Plant Science, Ecology, Biology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Strong plant identification skills (to species) and knowledge of plant taxonomy; strong knowledge of plant biology. Familiarity with plants and ecosystems of the western U.S.
• Experience maintaining accurate and detailed data records (in field and in electronic databases)
• Capable of conducting field work safely in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions
• Experience hiking and backcountry camping, and the willingness to do so for this position
• Experience driving large field vehicles with four-wheel drive; driving on gravel and dirt roads
• Wilderness First Aid or other field safety training
• Excellent organization skills and ability to handle several projects and deadlines at once
• Self-starter, independent worker, able to learn new tasks and skills quickly
• Flexible, able to problem solve and adapt to challenges
• Demonstrated ability to maintain good lines of communication between different partners 

Physical Demands: 

This position will be primarily based in the field with only occasional office work in the beginning and end of the season. Field work often occurs in remote locations, where cellular connection is unavailable or inconsistent. Field conditions can be extreme: hot summer conditions with potential for heavy rainfall, flash floods, and lightning strikes; high altitude sun exposure; and occasional wildlife encounters (rattlesnakes, bears, etc.). Vegetation monitoring activities, planting, seeding, and watering can be physically demanding due to hiking and stooping and bending for long periods of time.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

To Apply: 

Your application should include a Chicago Botanic Garden application along with a cover letter, resume, and the names of three (3) professional references. Application materials should be addressed to Monica Depies, CLM Program Coordinator, Chicago Botanic Garden. Questions about the position should be directed to Monica Depies at mdepies@chicagobotanic.org.   

Why Apply? 
 Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.